Based on the discussion posts of Learner 1 to other learners in the discussion forum, describe how you will handle this situation. What strategies will you use to support this learner?
This learner seems to be lacking self confidence and is perhaps also a proctrastinator out of fear of failure. Therefore, I would communicate in an encouraging way to support this learner's strengths. By supporting their strenghts and discussing their strengths, my goal is to motivate the student to act. In addition, I would focus on explaining to the student the importance of preperation. Perparation will give the student the confidence they need to achieve goals. I would also advise the student that failure only gets them closer to the solution and encourage them to not be afraid to act.
Robert. I appreciated this research. I post the following in the Instructor Files for students to review:
HOW CAN I HELP YOU? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS!
Hi Everyone. I know that research, drawing, and design can be big challenges. I've provided many instructions, reminders, tips, guidelines and website resources to help you succeed in your course work.
Navigate the course and review the announcements in the Instructor Files. You’ll find answers to many of your questions there.
Feel free to review the following where you'll find everything you need to help you:
--Instructor Files
--Weekly Announcements on the Course Home page
--Instructor comments for each assignment in the Assignment List
--Course Materials for each unit in the left hand navigation bar on the course
--Chat Archives
--Feedback that I post in the gradebook each week.
Grades are posted no later than Wednesday at midnight (CT) each week.
Please email me if you have any questions. Have a great week!
Enjoy your research and the creative process!
Here's another set of strategies for success that I post in the "Welcome to Class" announcement:
#1. Review the first announcement posted below entitled 'Course Information and Expectations." I include valuable information to help you understand what is expected of you. I'm here to help you learn and succeed
#2. Print out the Assignment List. Highlight the due dates. Make notes. Plan your schedule. Develop good study habits. It can get overwhelming if you get behind with assignments. If you cannot get internet connection, you can still do the reading and begin writing your assignments.
#3. Read the Announcements section on the Course Home page frequently. I provide guidelines, resources and reminders about the assignments, due dates, and grades. It is important that you review the Late Policy which is also uploaded to the Instructor Files.
#4. Review the links in the left navigation bar entitled Course Materials and About This Course. This is where you'll find the "Resources List" of important links to help you with the course assignments.
#5. Click on MUSE: My Unique Student Experience link in each Unit. There are many ways to learn and this is a great way to explore the many options for YOU.
James. I also "identify" with their challenges provding examples of my own anxieties in new situations or taking on a big responsibility. This really does work. Students can feel a bit more relaxed when they know that I understand the challenges and have experienced them myself.
Listening to their needs is critical in supporting their education goals.
I've handled this situation successfully in the past by privately emailing the student First, I let them know thatI understand that learning anything new is a challenge. I provide positive reinforcement giving them tips on how to manage and prioritize their time and of course letting them know that I am available for all questions to help them learn and succed.
In the public DB forum I genlty steer them back to the DB topic by asking them to "elaborate further" on their responses. I implement the Socratic method to get them engaged. I will also include an appropriate person experience to help them see that they are not alone.
Learning requires effort and many students get scared during the first week thinking that they just don't "have it" in them. My role is to calm nerves and point their attention to their education goals and what it can mean for their professional career paths. I often use the analogy of learning a new language: In the first week of a Japanese language course you wouldn't be expected to speak fluent Japanese. You learn as you go and each week you will be building knowledge to help you achieve the course outcomes. I continue to remind them that I am here to help them learn and succeed.
I would send this student an e-mail, identifying that I have been noticing they feel overwhelmed in the classroom and offering my assistance. I would also try to assist them by breaking things down into manageable tasks (chunking). I would ask them if they were more concerned about their ability to learn the material or with time (or other) constraints. I would let them know that I too have felt this way in my academic career, and it is possible to get past these feelings. Last of all, I would encourage a reply and to let them know they can call me for more immediate discussion if they want - I am here for them.
I would make a general posting to remind the students that I am there if they need to discuss anything with me regarding the course to help make sure that they do the best they possibly can. I would then contact the student independently by email to see if there is anything I can do to make sure the class is going good for them.
Thanks!
Brian
Dr. James ,
The private discussion to focus the learner on success in the course is a good route. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Michele,
Very good reinforcement with the private encouragement. Nicely done.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Positive reinforcement is definitely the way to go here! I would respond to their posts in the forum asking questions to help them think of possible answers but I would also send them a private email encouraging them to try their best and that they can be successful. Sometimes they feel intimidated by other's posts and they may feel they cannot write similar posts.
Alan: Good point - I did not think of dicussion time management with the learner. That could be or might be the major problem. Good insight!
Carol: I agree with you thought process with the first response, but I also agree that it might open a can or worms and you will not be able to get them all back into the can. What I might do is respond with a private email and ask the learner did he or she approach any of the classmates for help with the assignments.
I would set up a private chat session with Learner number one (1) to discuss just what problems he or she is having with the material. I would inform Learner number one (1) that my job is to make sure he or she understand the material and that when help is needed I will be there to move him or her to sucess in the course or with the material.
Erin,
Excellent way to "work with" the student. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Learner One sounds overwhelmed, and also as if they're silently asking for positive reinforcement. As others have indicated, I think a personal email is the way to go to get things started.
I also think a one-on-one chat session might help us work together to untangle some of the issues. Why are they overwhelmed? Are they intimidated by the course as a whole? Online learning? A specific concept?
From here, I'd work on specific, concrete strategies that the student could use to deal with these issues based on whether they stemmed from technical, personal, academic, esteem, or some other difficulties.
Perry.
I wanted to comment on your statement about the importance of phone communication. I agree, I would also recommend a video call through Skype as a welcome addition. Some students need to associate with more than just a voice. However, I must strongly emphasize the need to provide an email transcript of the phone conversation immediately afterward.
Bob
Ah, if identifying an intimidated student were this easy. Learned 1 is very vocal regarding her fear of failure in this course. It seems a real cry for help. She is overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. Email contact needed to made with this student after her post to learner 2. I would email the student and assure her that I was there to help her succeed. I would offer her the options of a personal phone call or a special office hour. However, in the email I would counsel her that her previous education and experience have prepared her for this course and assignment and that I would show her how and where to gather the information necessary to properly respond to the questions. During our discussion, I may detect the entire problem is simple time management and offer planning and scheduling advice. I may set up analogies to common-life events and the academic issues she fears, and walk through their similarities and explain its significance in practice. I would show her the sections of the text and the instructional material I provide which discussed these topics and offer viable research sources to expand upon the topics in question. Depending upon her need and fear level, I would grant an extension and/or offer to preview her assignment before she posts it. I would assure her I was only an email away if she had any other questions or concerns.
Bob
I would email the student at the earliest and let her know that I am here to provide support.
I would try to set up a private chat session so that the she can share why she feels that she is feeling overwhelmed.
If an online tutor is available, I will point her in that direction and also strongly encourage her to meet me during office hours to so that she can ask me any questions she has.
She needs to know that she is not alone. All she has to do is reach out to me and I will provide her with the guidance and support she needs to succeed.
I would use a personal email, asking some probing questions to get at the specifics of the student's issue. Most often I have found that students that "don't get it" haven't accessed the resources available to understand the course material.
I would emphasize to learner 1 that in addition to all of the school resources there are many web-based resources, there are school tutors, and of course, there is me...the instructor.
I would also offer to set up some sort of learning contract, where the student contacts me on a weekly basis to let me know what has been done in the way of studying the material, what is left to be done, and a timeline for completion.
Positive feedback always helps students. I know some of us may feel that these discussions should not take place. However, sometimes they do. In such situation, I offer the student additional help if they are willing to do so. Also, I would direct the students to the resources provided by the university. Such resources include the library and touring center. I would also direct the students to the instructor file, which I post the instructions for discussion board questions and assignments and articles pertaining to the lectures.
The first thing I would do in this situation would be to reach out to the student with a personal email. I would let the student know that I am available to help and answer any questions they might have. I would also remind the student of the other support materials available through our university to help them find success. Finally, ending with a little pep talk never hurt a student! Sometimes a student just needs to hear that they really can do it, to encourage them.
